Excavating apparatus for digging trenches



' May 26, 1970 G. NOVET 3,513,572

EXCAVATING APPARATUS FOR DIGGING TRENCHES Filed Sept. 1, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Kzz MM ATTORNE May 26, 1970 G. NOVET 3,513,572

EXGAVATING APPARATUS FOR DIGGING TRENCHES Filed Sept. 1, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BY wwaw :Eyz

May 26, 1970 G. NOVET 3,51

EXCAVATING APPARATUS FOR DIGGING TRENCHES Filed Sept. 1, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 24 5c Nl L 7? i1 j= 1 is ATTORNEB M May 26, 1970 G. NOVET' EXCAVA'I'ING APPARATUS FOR DIGGING TRENCHES Filed Sept. 1. 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENT OR ATTORNEJB- United States Patent O 3,513,57 EXCAVATING APPARATUS FOR DIGGING TRENCHES Gabriel Novet, Chindrieux, France, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Stang Cofor Inc., Orange, Califi, a corporation of California Filed Sept. 1, 1967, Ser. No. 665,171 Int. 'Cl. E04f /10 U.S. Cl. 37-103 '1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An excavating apparatus for digging trenches between vertical guide rails comprises pairs of lateral rollers urged against the rails by horizontal hydraulic telescoping means, against the action of biasing springs. An excavating blade is pivotally mounted about the axis of each rollers of the lower pair, each blade being hydraulically actuated to remove the portion of the ground or the like not reached by the jaws of the main excavating bucket in the vicinity of the guide rails. Each blade has a central recess to receive the adjacent rail and to act on the sides thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS In copending application, Ser. No. 536,673, filed Mar. 23, 1966, there is described a process for erection of walls which comprises driving piles vertically into the ground at appropriate intervals, digging a trench between each pair of adjacent piles of a width approximately equal to that of the required wall, and pouring concrete into the trench to fill it and embed the piles in the concrete. The piles are intended to ensure the vertical stability of the wall and at the same time form a connection between the different sections of the wall. 7

Copending application Ser. No. 536,672, filed Mar. 23, 1966, describes a machine for digging trenches which comprises a support frame equipped with rollers which are adapted to roll along guiding surfaces provided on the lateral faces of two oppositely located piles, and a grab bucket fixed to a lower part of the frame and adapted to excavate the ground between the piles. In this machine the rollers are lightly pressed against the guiding surfaces by means of appropriately mounted springs. In addition, lateral scoops are mounted on the lower part of the frame to remove the earth from both sides of the guiding surfaces of the piles. Brushes are associated with the scoops to assist in removing the earth on these surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The invention resides generally in the field of methods and machines for producing underground walls or partitions.

Description of the prior art The aforementioned copending applications describe prior developments in the general field of the invention.

3,513,572 Patented May 26, 1970 "ice BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a horizontal section of a wall erected in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 2 is a section on line IIII of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the erected piles prior to digging of the trench sections,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial plan view showing an excavating machine in place for digging of a trench section,

FIGS. 5 and 6 are enlarged sectional plan views of the two types of piles employed in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a third type of pile,

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the pile shown in FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the erected piles and trench sections showing arrangement of reinforcements therein,

FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial sectional elevation of a trench section showing one position of an excavating machine therein,

FIGS. 11 and 12 are plan views, partly in section, showing the arrangement and operation of portions of the excavating machine,

FIG. 13 is a section on XIII-XIII of FIG. 10, and

FIG. 14 is an enlarged partial sectional elevation of a trench section showing another position of the excavating machine therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a wall constructed in accordance with the invention and comprising a series of sections 1 of cementitious material, such sections having been directly cast in the ground 2 and each extending between adjacent pairs of spaced vertical pillars 3.

'In proceeding to erect such a wall in accordance with the invention, a series of holes 4 (FIG. 3) are initially dug in the ground, each such hole being generally vertically disposed, cylindrical in shape, and appropriately spaced from an adjacnt hole. The depth of these holes 4 may vary but it is desirable that they extend into relatively firm or hard subsoil. The holes may be dug or drilled in conventional manner.

A pile 5 of appropriate size constructed of suitable metal, such as steel, is now placed in each hole 4.

Pile 5, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, comprises a web 5b which in plan is in the form of a rhombus the apices of which extend perpendicularly from a diametrical web Sal Each apex of web 5b is provided with a tube 50. An angle iron strip Se is fixed to each vertical edge of web 5a, each such angle iron being adapted to provide a seat for a support tube 5e which is subsequently placed in the hole 4 for engagement with the wall of the hole.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative form of pile 6 having an I-shaped cross-section. A main web 6a has laterally extending webs 6b at its extremities for application against the wall of hole 4. Fixed to each side of the median portion of web 6a and extending longitudinally thereof is a bar 60 which, in the form shown, is of hollow rectangular structure in cross-section. Bars 6c are adapted to constitute guide rails for an excavating machine to be later described.

Another modified form of pile 7 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. This pile is of the type described in copending application, Ser. No. 651,299, filed July 5, 1967, and comprises a core identical with that of FIG. 5, that is, a web formed by two surfaces 7a, a second web 7b provided with tubes 70, and an angle iron 7d attached to each extremity of web 7a. Anchoring means are provided and comprise a series of laterally extending cross bars 7 f fixed to each section of web 70:, the extremities of each series of bars 7 being connected by means of a channel bar 7g.

Following placing of the piles in holes 4, each hole is substantially filled with a suitable plastic mass which is hardenable or settable to form a temporary rigid support for the pile therein but which is readily fracturable to permit removal thereof from the pile. A suitable mixture which is conventionally employed to form a light concrete comprises an aggregate of fine gravel and sand and bentonite clay as the binder. After hardening, each hole is filled with a compact mass 8 in which is embedded a pile.

A series of trench sections are now dug, each section extending from one pillar 3 to the adjacent pillar 3. Each trench section has a width corresponding to that of the wall to be erected but such width should not exceed the diameter of the holes 4. During excavation of the trench sections, that part of the concrete mass 8 which surrounds the pile is removed to uncover the pile as shown in FIG. 9.

A reticulate reinforcement 10, such as a network of reinforcing rods, wires, or the like, is now preferably placed in each trench section. The network is appropriately shaped and, as shown in FIG. 9, it is in generally parallel relation to the webs b of the piles which webs are disposed in the longitudinal direction of the wall to be formed.

If a lateral cavity or opening in the wall is required, the reinforcement may be partially recessed (FIG. 9) and a plate or block 11, having dimensions corresponding to the required opening, is placed in the recess in the reinforcement. The block 11 may be of any suitable material such as plastic composition, as for example, expanded polystyrene.

The trench sections are now filled with standard concrete which, on setting, forms a wall or partition which has been cast directly in the ground. The poured concrete mass will, of course, completely embed the reinforcements 10 as well as the sides of the piles. The piles ensure the vertical stability of the resultant wall as well as a strong joint between the wall sections. Removal of the block 11 will produce the desired lateral cavity.

In order to produce the trench sections 9, it is pro posed to employ an excavating machine such as illustrated in the drawing. This machine comprises an upper portion 12 (FIG. 10) and a hydraulically driven grab bucket 12' operably connected to a hydraulic pump. The combined unit 12, 12' is equipped with two pairs of rollers 13 and 13' each having a peripheral surface shaped to traverse vertical guide rails mounted on the piles. These guide rails may comprise the tubes 5c or 7c, or the bars 60 but, for the purpose of the present description, it will be assumed that the associated pile structure comprises the piles 5.

Upper rollers 13 (FIG. 11) are mounted on respective plates 14 and 15 connected to each other by telescopically associated tubes 16 and 17 in substantially fluidtight relation. Tubes 16, 17 constitute a jack operable by means of a hydraulic duct 18 (FIG. 12) connected to tube 17. A shaft 19, having one end fixed to plate 14, extends axially through tube 16 and through an end closure 17a into tube 17. Tubes 16 and 17 are reciprocally supported in a support tube 20.

It will be understood that the provision of fluid under pressure in tube 17 will initially tend to move the tube 17 axially, with its roller 13, in an outward direction. When the roller engages a guide rail 50, the fluid, acting on the extremity of shaft 19, moves tube 16 with its roller 13 into engagement with guide rail 50 of the adjacent pile.

Mounted on support tube 20 are pairs of radially extending plates 21, 21a and 22, 2212. Supported in plates 21, 21a and fixed to plate 14 is a horizontal shaft 24. Supported in plates 22 and 22a and fixed to plate 15 is a horizontal shaft 25. Each shaft 24, is provided with an end shoulder 24a, 25a forming a stop for a corresponding spring 26 provided with a housing 27 and acting to limit the longitudinal displacement of shafts 24 and 25. Springs 26, compressed during the displacement of tubes 16 and 17 under the action of fluid under pressure from duct 18, ensure the automatic return of the tubes to the contracted position of FIG. 12 on release of fluid pressure.

The lower rollers 13' carried by bucket 12' are attached to a control mechanism of the same type as that of rollers 13, whereby the combined unit 12, 12 is properly guided along the guide rails of the piles. However, the axle of each roller 13' constitutes an articulation for an arm 28a of a blade 28. The portion of each arm 28a extending beyond the articulation is connected to a corresponding plate 14', 15' by means of a hydraulic jack 29. Each blade 28 is so shaped as to be able to rest upon a pile guide rail. Referring to FIG. 13, each blade 28 has a centrally arranged recess 28]; to receive rail 5c and the adjoining portions of web 5b.

Bucket 12' has two jaws 30 joined together by a tie rod 31 and operable by means of a hydraulic jack 32. The arrangement is such that the action of jack 32 effects the closing of jaws 30 which thus penetrate the a ground and finally fit inside each other in the normal fashion of excavating machines. At the same time, jacks 29, under the action of tensile stress, effect turning movement of each blade 28 about its respective axis to remove the mass of light concrete which surrounds web 5b at the level of the tube or guide rail of each pile,

as well as that portion of the ground not reached by jaws 30.

A hook member 33, fixed to upper portion 12, permits suspension of the machine by means of a cable connected to a suitable winch mechanism. The machine may thus 'be raised periodically to empty the bucket and then returned to the bottom of the trench. Prior to descent, jacks 29 and 32 are actuated to ensure return of the jaws and blades to the position of FIG. 10.

During the course of digging each trench section, the pillars 3 remain in rigid condition by reason of the procedure described. Moreover, the pressure applied by the rollers 13 and 13' ensures constant and effective guidance of the excavating machine during the trench forming step.

I claim: 1. An excavating apparatus for digging trenches comprising:

a vertically movable frame; an excavating bucket suspended from said frame; an upper and a lower substantially horizontal hydraulic telescopic devices carried by said frame, each including a fixed cylinder having first and second open ends, a first movable cylinder slidable in said fixed cylinder and having an outer end protruding through the first end of said fixed cylinder, a second movable cylinder slidable in said first movable cylinder and having an outer end protruding through the second end of said fixed cylinder, hydraulic means to urge said first and second movable cylinders apart from each other outwardly of said fixed cylinder, spring means to move said first and second cylinders toward each other and inwardly of said fixed cylinder, and means to prevent said first and second movable cylinders from rotating;

substantially vertical guide rails disposed at each side of said frame to guide same;

devices.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Strauss 37-36 Chapman 37-36 Phillips. Berryman et a1. 187-96 Somervell 187-95 Spiro 187-95 6 2,621,428 12/1952 Billings 37-187 3,357,506 12/1967 De Bosredon 37-184 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 1,058,454 6/1959 Germany. 5 1,246,459 10/1960 France. 1,353,996 1/1964 France.

ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner 10 C. D. CROWDER, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

